Cannabis compound shows strong potential in treatment of pancreatic cancer, according to Harvard research

A chemical found in cannabis has displayed “significant therapy potential” in the treatment of one of the deadliest types of cancer, according to researchers from Harvard University’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The compound is a flavonoid – a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties responsible for performing many functions in plants, including pigmentation.

“The most significant conclusion is that tumor-targeted delivery of flavonoids, derived from cannabis, enabled both local and metastatic tumor cell kill, significantly increasing survival from pancreatic cancer. This has major significance, given that pancreatic cancer is particularly refractory to current therapies,” Wilfred Ngwa, one of the study’s researchers, told Yahoo Lifestyle.

The study’s abstract notes that cannabinoids have already been investigated as both anti-cancer agents and for treating the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“Previous studies have indicated that medical cannabis derivatives could enhance survival in pancreatic cancer animal models, when used in synergy with radiotherapy,” it says.

However, the new study demonstrates that aside from successfully killing pancreatic cancer cells, the flavonoid managed to contain cancer cells in other parts of the body – a discovery that could pave the way for flavonoid-based treatments for other types of cancer as well.

“We were quite surprised that the drug could inhibit the growth of cancer cells in other parts of the body, representing metastasis, that were not targeted by the treatment. This suggests that the immune system is involved as well, and we are currently investigating this mechanism,” Ngwa added.

Researchers will now work on advancing the study, conducted on small animals, to pre-clinical studies which they hope will be completed by the end of 2020. “If successfully translated clinically, this will have major impact in treatment of pancreatic cancer,” Ngwa concluded.